Sometime later this week, you will come to the realization that you are either travelling to or hosting a *Thanksgiving dinner. As these tend to be large family affairs, there may be some tensions, arguments and other social problems.

I suggest lubricating these affairs with copious quantities of alcohol, but in the guise of the various fine wines found on this page. Of course, drinking will not solve any of your problems, but they will make your fill-in-the-blank (Parents, Brother-in-Law, Cousin’s wife, step-sister, etc.) that much easier to tolerate.

Au Bon Climat 2007
(Santa Barbara County). $22.99.
Great minerals, some pepper and real stuffing, all with a kind of cranberry fruit that, obviously, is perfect for the meal. Complex and interesting. People will talk about this.

Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ 2006
(Willamette Valley). $56.
Beautiful color, with a rich, sensuous nose. The taste is almost majestic, very serious, with minerals, earth and great Pinot fruit. The 2006 is the one you are more likely to see, but if you happen to run across the 2005, it’s even better—elegant, silky, confident and simply beautiful.

Robert Mondavi Winery 2007
(Carneros). $23.
Worth the price just for the color (vibrant and fiery) and the smell (rich and filled with berries). The taste is just as good: classy, well-balanced and not afraid of some varietal funk. Nicely intense. Interesting from start to finish.

Erath Winery 2007
(Oregon). $18.99.
Light, pleasant and earthy, with a bit of a bite at the end that’s interesting and fun. Happy, with a hint of strawberry fruit. Everyone would love this.

La Crema 2007
(Sonoma Coast). $22.99.
Rich fruit with some pepper, what John called “ripe spiciness.” Nice velvety texture, with a pleasant earthiness on the finish. Round, comfortable and seamless. Nothing edgy, just pleasurable.

WillaKenzie Estate ‘Estate Cuvée’ 2007
(Willamette Valley). $25.99.
Light but complete. Good Pinot flavors in a very drinkable package. Bright fruit and light enough to complement everything on the table without adding yet another big taste. This really tastes like the fruit of the harvest—something that grew in the earth, under the sun—and therefore is quite appropriate to a Thanksgiving meal.

Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor implied. If you could repeat previously discredited memes or steer the conversation into irrelevant, off topic discussions, it would be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.

May I suggest a fabulous white from far northern Italy? 2008 Südtirol/Alto Adige DOC Goldmuskateller “Castel Turmhof”. Actually cellared in Switzerland via a tunnel under the border. Maybe a nice Valpolicella for the main course, followed by Amarone or Recioto.

I spend most of my time in France and Spain and here we often discuss the merits of spending more than two Euros for a bottle of wine. I often buy wine between one and two Euros a bottle and it is very good.

Why is wine so expensive in the U.S? Really it never ceases to amaze me. When I am back in America (East Coast) I am in shock on how expensive the basics of life are. A ordinary Chardonnay for 11 dollars when a similar bottle of a dry white from the province of Cadiz, Spain sells for 80 cents. A full bodied red for 2o dollars when a similar ordinary Bordeaux sells at the local French supermarket for three.

Property taxes here are about 1/1000 of the value of the property per year. You do pay a tax when you sell, up to 18% on any profit. If you are not speculating and just owning then this is a great system.

Insurance costs: about 1/5 for medical, about 1/6 for house about 1/2 for car.

I pay more in property tax (2.2 %) and homeowner insurance for my house in the U.S. then I spend for an entire year in Spain and France for all my insurance (car, house, medical), all the utilities (electric, trash, water, gas), gas for the car, and ALL THE FOOD AND WINE FOR TWO PEOPLE. For An Entire Year.

Why is the basics of life here in France and even more so here in Spain so much more afordable then in the U.S? What happened to the standard of living in America? Europeans are living the American dream. Where did all the wealth in America go?

Next time, try some Chateauneuf du pape, a great way to entertain your friends with great wine at a reasonable price.
I agree with not talking about politics, unless you’re in Europe, although I can’t help myself.

Say Hello

About Barry Ritholtz

Ritholtz has been observing capital markets with a critical eye for 20 years. With a background in math & sciences and a law school degree, he is not your typical Wall St. persona. He left Law for Finance, working as a trader, researcher and strategist before graduating to asset managementRead More...

Quote of the Day

"Misers aren't fun to live with, but they make wonderful ancestors." -David Brenner

Sign Up For My Newsletter

Get subscriber only insights and news delivered by Barry every two weeks.